I'd like to offer a non-higher power version of the 12 steps. The version I have written is godless and instead focuses on personal accountability over 'the devil made me do it' excuses. It worked…Continue

Gifts Received

JD Stockman's Page

Profile Information

Your Religious Status

Atheist

Age

31-35

Why are you here?

Answers, thought, and understanding

The religion you left

Christian

Why you left your religion.

Religion seems so... inhumane in a lot of ways. I respect the uncorrupted version of Jesus of Nazareth but disavow any supernatural qualities he is allegedly in possession of. To me, he was just a philosophizer and generally good person in addition to being a rebel leader of his oppressed people of the time.

Where to find me...

JD Stockman's Blog

I wrote an article reworking the 12 step to exclude God over a year ago. It was a great exercise, but ultimately abandoned. Here I am, more than a year later with my observation made since then. I have rejected my own 12-step model for something a little more tangible, significant, and simple. One great thing about being a scientifically driven atheist is the willingness to be wrong and openness to correcting this inequity. Perhaps I will have more to say on this in a year or two; but for…

Let's start of with a few basic identifying points: I am an anti-theist gnostic atheist. I understand what I am implying by claiming 'gnostic'. Imagine atheism is as the theory of gravity is. Would you contest someone stating gravity is a fact despite not knowing every tiny detail? If so, then nothing I am willing to expel energy saying will change your mind on my gnostic atheism. Some my wonder why I'm making a defense about this here. My point will be clear as I progress.

Comment Wall (3 comments)

You need to be a member of Think Atheist to add comments!

Hello, JD. I think your 12 Step Program for Atheists is "right on." My 20 year old son is trying to beat his addiction. He was in rehab for 32 days, and then continued in Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) 9 hours a week, and now is in IOP one session a week and individual therapy one session a week. He is angry and frustrated with the pressure to join a 12 step program and work with a sponsor because this requires that he believe in God "to be saved." Very Christian. He does not believe in God. Nor do I, although I find much wisdom in Judaism and Buddhism and other traditions (Christianity is a real turnoff with all of the emphasis of believing in Christ in order to be saved). I forwarded him your 12 step program, and printed it for myself. I hope that is ok. I am so pleased to have found this. So excellent. Charge on!